Friday, 17 June 2011

After the epic Act in Istanbul, the Extreme Sailing Series™ now heads to new shores for Act 4 – Boston in the USA – the first time the circuit has staged an official event in the United States.“Boston is proud to be the first U.S. city to host the 2011 Extreme Sailing Series to our waterfront for the city’s July 4th celebration – one of the largest in the nation,” said Thomas M. Menino, Mayor, City of Boston. Watch the Boston promo video:

The Boston event will be staged at Fan Pier as part of the Boston Harborfest celebrations and it is lining up to be a very special event... visit the Fan Pier Facebook page here. Taking place from Thursday, 30th June to Monday, 4th July, every day is open to the public and there will be plenty of attractions. The 11-boat Extreme 40 fleet will showcase their close combat ‘stadium’ style of racing in front of the spectators at Fan Pier, a 21-acre site on Boston’s waterfront spanning nine city blocks, owned by the Fallon Company, the official host venue partner to the Boston Act.

Fan Pier, Boston sailing venue. Image copyright Fan Pier Boston.

The Extreme 40s will be supported by 49er racing, Laser and J22s racing for the official charity Courageous Sailing, fireworks, live music and street performers, and aerial demos from the Red Bull Air Force skydivers. Media partner Boston’s Fox25 TV will be capturing all the action as part of their scheduled live programming from Fan Pier.

“As part of our ongoing evolvement to bring more and more to the spectators both on and off the water, we are really delighted with the Boston line-up and especially that the Olympic 49er Class can join us for the first time this year,” said Gilles Chiorri, Events Director, OC ThirdPole. Some of the USA’s and Canada’s finest 49er sailors will be showcasing their skills to the crowds ahead of the Extreme 40 racing.

The public will have plenty to enjoy but for the Extreme 40 sailors, their focus is purely on one thing – winning Act 4. After three events in Muscat (Oman), Qingdao (China) and Istanbul (Turkey), three different teams have so far claimed victories – Groupe Edmond de Rothschild (Muscat), Luna Rossa (Qingdao) and Artemis Racing (Istanbul) skippered by American Terry Hutchinson. Can another team claim victory in Boston?

Dean Barker’s Emirates Team New Zealand came so close in Istanbul and is desperate for a win. Red Bull Extreme Sailing, on the podium in Muscat, but an outright event win still eludes them – a victory in Boston would be a mighty celebration as the US round is supported by local event partner, Red Bull. And despite their crash in Istanbul, Alinghi, helmed by 2010 runner-up Yann Guichard, is raising their game with a podium finish within their sights. And now The Wave, Muscat has a new skipper in the form of Britain’s Leigh McMillan, who helped steer Ecover into third place overall in 2010, taking over the reigns from Torvar Mirsky.

A total of 43 races were staged in Istanbul – the most ever at one event in the circuit’s history – and this could be replicated, or even exceeded, in Boston if the weather plays ball. The short 15-minute races are mentally and physically demanding. Find out what a ‘day in the Extreme 40’ office is like for Red Bull Extreme Sailing bowman, Craig Monk in the video below this article.

Emirates Team New Zealand in Muscat. Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/www.carloborlenghi.netAbout Fan Pier:Fan Pier is a 21-acre site on Boston’s waterfront spanning nine city blocks with over three million square feet of planned mixed-use development. Currently, the luxury waterfront property is home to the internationally acclaimed Institute of Contemporary Art, famed Boston retailer LOUIS, Salon Mario Russo and restaurants including Sam’s and Strega Waterfront. Fan Pier’s first office building at ONEMarina Park is already occupied, and the destination includes a new public park, a Harbor Walk, and a state-of-the-art marina. When complete, Fan Pier will have a five-star hotel, luxury condominiums, additional offices, retail and restaurants. The Fallon Company is owner and developer.

Fan Pier, Boston sailing venue. Image copyright Fan Pier Boston.

About Boston Harborfest:Boston Harborfest 2011 is a six-day long Fourth of July festival that showcases the colonial and maritime heritage of the cradle of the American Revolution: the historic City of Boston. The award-winning festival strives to honor and remember the past, celebrate the present, and educate the future with reenactments, concerts, historical tours and much, much more. Now in its 30th year, Boston Harborfest is considered to be the largest patriotic celebration in the nation with visitors enjoying more than 200 activities during the festival.

Persistency and Determination...

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